“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens

As we get ready to enter our seventh year of operations, we continue to struggle with how to increase support to carry out our mission. We know part of the problem stems from the public assuming that if you have a pet, you should be able to afford every level of care and, if not, give up the pet. If only life were that simple.

Every year, more than a quarter million animals are given up to shelters and rescues because their families cannot afford care, not because they aren’t wanted or loved. They are part of 6.5 million animals who continue to enter shelters and rescues every year. Sadly, 1.5 million of them never make it out alive. The bottom line? There are too many homeless animals for our current animal welfare system. In fact, it is estimated that every man, woman and child in this country, would need to adopt 7 animals apiece in order to address this issue. Does this seem like a realistic solution to you? How about instead, we encourage those who have pets to hold onto them and provide support services to help make that happen?

We, as a society, seem to have no problem donating to human service charities that provide food, shelter, and medical care to people in need. We support organizations that work with homeless animals without thinking about where those animals come from. Many come from those same people down on their luck who happen to have a pet in need. Don’t they deserve the unconditional love and companionship a pet can bring to their lives? Shouldn’t our senior citizens enjoy the extended life that research shows pets can bring to those facing aging and medical issues? I believe they do.

Those of you who already donate to Harley’s Hope Foundation, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is a very different type of animal welfare charity and I so appreciate you taking the time to learn about who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Those of you who follow us on social media, read our newsletter, or make referrals to us, please consider donating. The ongoing challenges caused by lack of funding often result in very sad consequences as you can read in this month’s case study featuring little Oso.

In an effort to close the gap, and for the first time, Harley’s Hope Foundation is participating in the Michelson’s Found Animals Saving Pets Challenge. This crowd funding campaign helps to raise funds for animal groups only. And, the groups that raise the most in donations are eligible for cash prizes up to $50,000. Just think of how many lives that money could save or positively impact. The campaign runs from May 2nd thru June 1st, and is the only fundraising campaign of its kind not held in the fourth quarter. We know that people like to give during the holidays, but the need for our services is year-round, and so is the need for funding.

You can access our campaign page at https://www.crowdrise.com/harleys-hope-foundation-savingpets . If you can donate, please do so. If you can’t, please share with those that can, so we continue for another 7 years, preventing at-risk pets from losing their homes or lives.

Thank you!